Meet Colton Wood, 28, of Hattiesburg, director of operations in the southeastern United States region for Broaddus & Associates, ​a provider of facilities program management, consulting and planning services for owners who are planning and developing construction projects.

He graduated from Southern Miss with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He holds certificates of achievement from the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation and the Construction Estimating Institute.

What advice would you give people who want to get into the same line of work as you? Make sure it is something that you are passionate about. Our industry is not an 8 a.m.-5 p.m. job that you leave at the office. It requires long hours and superb problem-solving skills. It is one of the most rewarding careers since the fruits of your labor are tangible for many years to come. The buildings and people using them are positive reinforcements for the work you do.

Why did you choose to live and work in the Hattiesburg area? As I’m a USM graduate and enjoyed my time in Hattiesburg during college, I chose to come back and set up shop in a town I had grown to love. It is also a great location geographically as it is 1½ hours from the Coast and Jackson.

What do you do in your free time? In my free time, I enjoy offshore fishing, golfing and spending time on my grandfather’s farm. I also enjoy traveling with my fiancee as there is never a dull moment.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? If I had the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with anyone it would be Dr. Ben Carson. I draw great influence from Dr. Carson, and I strongly admire his work ethic, unwavering commitment to his beliefs and values, and his commitment to helping others.

If you could go back 10 years and give a younger you tips or advice on life, work or anything in general, what would it be? I would simply tell myself to enjoy life’s little moments, as time seems to pass at a much greater speed the older you get. I would also tell myself to always give a little extra in everything you do. This may sound simple, but it is a great habit to develop and will save you a lot grief down the road.